Intel Network Card 82543GC User Manual

82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller  
Specification Update  
June 18, 2004  
Revision 2.1  
The 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller may contain design defects or errors known as errata that may cause the product to deviate  
from published specifications. Current characterized errata are documented in this Specification Update.  
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82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
CONTENTS  
CONTENTS .........................................................................................................................................................3  
REVISION HISTORY...........................................................................................................................................5  
PREFACE............................................................................................................................................................7  
NOMENCLATURE ..............................................................................................................................................7  
COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION VIA PROGRAMMING INTERFACE..............................................................7  
GENERAL INFORMATION.................................................................................................................................8  
82543GC Component Marking Information..................................................................................................8  
Summary Table of Changes..............................................................................................................................9  
Codes Used in Summary TableS .................................................................................................................9  
SPECIFICATION CHANGES ............................................................................................................................11  
1.  
GMII Setup and Hold Times ..............................................................................................................11  
ERRATA............................................................................................................................................................11  
1.  
MDI Control Register Returns Incorrect Values ................................................................................11  
Descriptor Queue Maximum Size Limitation .....................................................................................11  
Late Collision Statistics May Be Incorrect .........................................................................................11  
Some Registers Cannot Be Accessed During Reset ........................................................................12  
DAC Accesses May Be Interpreted Incorrectly .................................................................................12  
Flash Memory Interface Functions Incorrectly in 64-Bit Address Space...........................................12  
Excessive Errors in 100Mb Half-Duplex Mode..................................................................................12  
48 Bit Preambles Sent in 10Mb and 100Mb Operation .....................................................................13  
CRS Detection Takes Too Long in MII Half-Duplex Mode ................................................................13  
DMA Early Receive Function Does Not Work ...................................................................................13  
ILOS Bit Copied Incorrectly from EEPROM to Speed Bits................................................................13  
Gigabit Half-Duplex Mode Operates Incorrectly................................................................................13  
Zero-Byte PCI Bus Writes .................................................................................................................14  
TCP Segmentation Feature Operates Incorrectly .............................................................................14  
Incorrect Checksum Calculation and Indication ...............................................................................14  
Transmitter Affected by Discarding Packets......................................................................................14  
Flash Memory Address Conflicts.......................................................................................................15  
Packet Buffer Memory Address Conflicts..........................................................................................15  
Transmit Packet Corruption of Small Packets...................................................................................15  
Receive Packet Buffer Corruption When Nearly Full.........................................................................15  
Receive Packet Loss in 100Mb Half-Duplex Operation.....................................................................16  
TNCRS Statistic Register Has Live Count in Full-Duplex Mode........................................................16  
Receive IP Checksum Offload Disabled............................................................................................16  
EEPROM Initializes Software Defined Pins Incorrectly.....................................................................16  
Continuous XOFFs Transmitted When Receive Buffer Is Full ..........................................................17  
Default Speed Selection May Depend on EEPROM Presence.........................................................17  
2.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  
7.  
8.  
9.  
10.  
11.  
12.  
13.  
14.  
15.  
16.  
17.  
18.  
19.  
20.  
21.  
22.  
23.  
24.  
25.  
26.  
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82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
27.  
28.  
29.  
30.  
31.  
32.  
33.  
34.  
35.  
36.  
37.  
38.  
Link Status Change Interrupt Only Occurs If Link is Up ....................................................................17  
Early Transmit Feature Does Not Operate Correctly.........................................................................17  
TDO Output Not Floated When JTAG TAP Controller Inactive.........................................................18  
Initialization Ignores Incorrect EEPROM Signature...........................................................................18  
Internal Loopback Difficulties.............................................................................................................18  
Collision Pin Not Ignored in TBI Mode...............................................................................................18  
Receive Descriptor Writeback Problems for Packets Spanning Multiple Buffers..............................19  
Illegal Oversize Packets Overflow Receive FIFO..............................................................................19  
Transmit Descriptor Writeback Problems with Non-Zero WTHRESH ...............................................19  
Bus Initialization with Some Chipsets................................................................................................20  
Use of Receive Delay Timer Ring Register (RDTR) Causes Occasional Lockups ...........................20  
Transmit TCP Checksum Incorrectly Modified if Calculated as 0x0000............................................20  
SPECIFICATION CLARIFICATIONS................................................................................................................21  
1.  
2.  
0-70C Ambient Temperature Range .................................................................................................21  
Receiver Enabling and Disabling.......................................................................................................21  
DOCUMENTATION CHANGES........................................................................................................................21  
1.  
TX/RX Descriptor Register Addresses ..............................................................................................21  
Auto Speed Detect Function Requires CTRL.SLU Bit to Be Set.......................................................22  
Values Programmed to Some Registers While in Reset Do Not Persist...........................................22  
JTAG Port Operation.........................................................................................................................22  
Register Summary Uses Improper Page Reference Format.............................................................23  
Change O_EN_CDET Output to NO_CONNECT .............................................................................23  
Change Recommended Transmit IPG Programming Value for 10/100/1000BASE-T ......................23  
Remove Transmit Report Status Sent Function................................................................................23  
Remove Transmit DMA Pre-fetching and Preemption Functions......................................................23  
Remove Gigabit Half-Duplex Transmit Burst Timer Control Function (TBT).....................................24  
Remove Adaptive IFS Throttle Function (AIT)...................................................................................24  
2.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  
7.  
8.  
9.  
10.  
11.  
4
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
REVISION HISTORY  
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Date of Revision  
June 18, 2004  
Revision  
2.1  
Description  
Initial Public Release  
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82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Note: This page is intentionally left blank.  
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82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
PREFACE  
This document is an update to published specifications. There are two current specification documents:  
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Datasheet, Intel Corporation.  
OR-2710 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual, Intel Corporation.  
This document is intended for hardware system manufactures and software developers of applications, operating systems or tools.  
It contains Specification Changes, Errata, Specification Clarifications, and Documentation Changes.  
The changes/errata/clarifications described in this document will be incorporated into the next release of 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet  
Controller Data Sheet, the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual.  
NOMENCLATURE  
Specification Changes are modifications to the current published specifications. These changes will be incorporated in the next  
release of the specifications.  
Errata are design defects or errors. Errata may cause 82543GC device behavior to deviate from published specifications. Hardware  
and software designed to be used with any given stepping must assume that all errata documented for that stepping are present on  
all devices.  
Specification Clarifications describe a specification in greater detail or further highlight a specification’s impact to a complex  
design situation. These clarifications will be incorporated in the next release of the specifications.  
Documentation Changes include typos, errors, or omissions from the current published specifications. These changes will be  
incorporated in the next release of the specifications.  
COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION VIA PROGRAMMING INTERFACE  
82543GC steppings can be identified by the following register contents:  
82543GC Stepping  
Vendor ID  
8086h  
Device ID  
1001h  
Revision Number  
A0  
A1  
A2  
00h  
01h  
02h  
8086h  
1001h  
8086h  
1001h  
The device also provides an identification number through the Test Access Port.  
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82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
GENERAL INFORMATION  
This section covers the 82543GC device.  
82543GC COMPONENT MARKING INFORMATION  
Stepping  
QDF  
Number  
S- Spec  
Number  
Top Marking  
Notes  
Engineering Samples. May be marked with either QDF  
number or S-spec number.  
Engineering Samples. May be marked with either QDF  
number or S-spec number.  
Engineering Samples. May be marked two ways: with the  
QDF number and a top mark FW82543GC; or without any  
QDF or S-spec number, and a top mark TL82543GC.  
Production Devices. Marked without QDF or S-spec  
numbers and bear a top mark TL82543GC.  
A0  
A1  
A2  
Q415  
Q416  
Q417  
S L3N8  
S L3N9  
N/A  
FW82543GC  
FW82543GC  
FW82543GC or  
TL82543GC  
N/A  
N/A  
TL82543GC  
TL82543GC  
'00 JAPAN  
M C  
YYWWXXnnn  
The legend for the manufacturing code is as follows:  
YY = Assembly input year  
WW = Assembly workweek  
XXnnn = Complete lot traceability code (use for issue reporting)  
XX = Mask/assembly spec  
nnn = Lot history code  
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82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Summary Table of Changes  
The following table indicates the Specification Changes, Errata, Specification Clarifications or Documentation Changes, which apply  
to the listed 82543GC steppings. Intel intends to fix some of the errata in a future stepping of the component, and to account for the  
other outstanding issues through documentation or Specification Changes as noted. This table uses the following notations:  
CODES USED IN SUMMARY TABLES  
X:  
Erratum, Specification Change or Clarification that applies to this stepping.  
Document change or update that will be implemented.  
This erratum is intended to be fixed in a future stepping of the component.  
This erratum has been previously fixed.  
Doc:  
Fix:  
Fixed:  
NoFix:  
There are no plans to fix this erratum.  
(No mark) or (Blank Box): This erratum is fixed in listed stepping or specification change does not apply to listed stepping.  
Shaded:  
This item is either new or modified from the previous version of the document.  
No. A0  
A1  
A2  
Plans  
SPECIFICATION CHANGES  
GMII Setup and Hold Times  
Page  
Affected  
Document  
1
X
X
X
NoFix  
9
Datasheet  
No. A0  
A1  
X
A2  
X
Plans  
NoFix  
NoFix  
Fixed  
Fixed  
NoFix  
NoFix  
Fixed  
Fixed  
ERRATA  
Page  
9
Notes  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
MDI Control Register Returns Incorrect Values  
Descriptor Queue Maximum Size Limitation  
Late Collision Statistics May Be Incorrect  
X
X
9
9
Some Registers Cannot be Accessed During Reset  
DAC Accesses May Not Be Interpreted Correctly  
Flash Memory Functions Incorrectly in 64-Bit Address Space  
Excessive Errors in 100Mb Half-Duplex Mode  
48 Bit Preambles Sent in 10Mb and 100Mb Operation  
10  
10  
10  
10  
11  
X
X
X
X
9
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Fixed  
NoFix  
Fixed  
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
Fixed  
Fixed  
Fixed  
NoFix  
Fixed  
Fixed  
Fixed  
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
CRS Detection Takes Too Long in MII Half-Duplex Mode  
DMA Early Receive Function Does Not Work  
ILOS Bit Copied Incorrectly from EEPROM to Speed Bits  
Gigabit Half-Duplex Mode Operates Incorrectly  
Zero-Byte PCI Bus Writes  
11  
11  
11  
11  
12  
12  
12  
12  
13  
13  
13  
13  
14  
14  
14  
14  
15  
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
15  
16  
17  
18  
19  
20  
21  
22  
23  
24  
25  
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
TCP Segmentation Feature Operates Incorrectly  
Incorrect Checksum Calculation and Indication  
Transmitter Affected by Discarding Packets  
Flash Memory Address Conflicts  
X
X
Packet Buffer Memory Address Conflicts  
Transmit Packet Corruption of Small Packets  
Receive Packet Buffer Corruption When Nearly Full  
Receive Packet Loss in 100Mb Half-Duplex Operation  
TNCRS Statistic Register Has Live Count in Full-Duplex Mode  
Receive IP Checksum Offload Disabled  
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
EEPROM Initializes Software Defined Pins Incorrectly  
Continuous XOFFs Transmitted When Receive Buffer Is Full  
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82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
26  
27  
28  
29  
30  
31  
32  
33  
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
NoFix  
Default Speed Selection May Depend on EEPROM Presence  
Link Status Change Interrupt Only Occurs If Link is Up  
Early Transmit Feature Does Not Operate Correctly  
TDO Output Not Floated When JTAG TAP Controller Inactive  
Initialization Ignores Incorrect EEPROM Signature  
Internal Loopback Difficulties  
15  
15  
15  
16  
16  
16  
16  
17  
Collision Pin Not Ignored in TBI Mode  
Receive Descriptor Writeback Problems for Packets Spanning  
Multiple Buffers  
34  
35  
X
X
X
X
X
X
NoFix  
NoFix  
Illegal Oversize Packets Overflow Receive FIFO  
17  
17  
Transmit Descriptor Writeback Problem with Non-Zero  
WTHRESH  
36  
37  
X
X
X
X
X
X
NoFix  
NoFix  
Bus Initialization with Some Chipsets  
17  
18  
Use of Receive Delay Timer Ring Register (RDTR) Causes  
Occasional Lockups  
38  
X
X
X
NoFix  
Transmit TCP Checksum Modified if Calculated as 0x0000  
18  
No. A0  
A1  
X
A2  
X
Plans  
SPECIFICATION CLARIFICATIONS  
0-70C Ambient Temperature Range  
Page  
19  
Affected  
Document  
1
2
X
X
Doc  
Change  
Datasheet  
X
X
Doc  
Change  
Receiver Enabling and Disabling  
19  
Developer’s  
Manual  
No. A0  
A1  
X
A2  
X
Plans  
DOCUMENTATION CHANGES  
Page  
19  
Affected  
Document  
1
2
3
4
X
X
X
X
Doc  
Replaced  
TX/RX Descriptor Register Addresses  
Developer’s  
Manual  
X
X
Doc  
Replaced  
Auto Speed Detect Function Requires CTRL.SLU Bit to Be Set  
Values Programmed to Some Registers While in Reset Do Not  
20  
Developer’s  
Manual  
X
X
Doc  
20  
Developer’s  
Manual  
Replaced Persist  
X
X
Doc  
Change  
JTAG Port Operation  
20  
Datasheet and  
Developer’s  
Manual.  
5
6
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Doc  
Change  
Register Summary Uses Improper Page Reference Format  
Change O_EN_CDET output to NO_CONNECT  
20  
21  
21  
21  
21  
22  
22  
Developer’s  
Manual  
Doc  
Change  
Datasheet  
7
Doc  
Change  
Change Recommended Tx IPG Programming Value for  
10/100/1000BASE-T  
Developer’s  
Manual  
8
Doc  
Change  
Remove Transmit Report Status Sent Function  
Developer’s  
Manual  
9
Doc  
Change  
Remove Transmit DMA Pre-fetching and Preemption  
Functions (TXDMAC)  
Developer’s  
Manual  
10  
11  
Doc  
Change  
Remove Transmit Burst Timer Control Function (TBT)  
Developer’s  
Manual  
Doc  
Change  
Remove Adaptive IFS Throttle Function (AIT)  
Developer’s  
Manual  
10  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
SPECIFICATION CHANGES  
1. GMII Setup and Hold Times  
Problem:  
The data sheet contains incorrect setup and hold time specifications for the GMII interface.  
The old setup and hold times were 2.5ns minimum and 4ns. typical.  
For the receive signals, the new setup time is 2.0ns. (min.) the new hold time is 0ns. (min.). For the transmit  
signals, the new setup time is 2.5ns. (min.) and the new hold time is 0.5ns. (min.) Documentation will change to  
show the new values.  
Affected Specs: AC Timings section of 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Datasheet Rev. 2.02.  
ERRATA  
1. MDI Control Register Returns Incorrect Values  
Problem:  
MDIO reads through the MDI control register return wrong values.  
Implication:  
The Management Data Interface register is necessary for the controller to communicate serially with GMII/MII  
PHY devices through the B_MDIO pin.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Route MDIO and MDC pins from an external PHY device to B_SDP (Software Defined) pins and add  
appropriate software to capture the MDI data.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
2. Descriptor Queue Maximum Size Limitation  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC device initiates a PCI cycle to access data, it is possible for the target to issue a “retry”. A  
retry is a target disconnect without data transfer. In response, the 82543GC controller may attempt another read  
or write cycle to a different address instead of retrying the same memory location. In a PC environment, it is  
possible that the target chipset will hang, generate an NMI or exhibit other errors.  
Implication:  
This erratum affects the 82543 device’s ability to access data correctly from the descriptor list using its DMA  
process.  
Workaround:  
Do not allow the controller to have more than 256 active descriptors in either the receive descriptor ring or the  
transmit descriptor ring. In other words, program the device so the receive tail register does not exceed the  
receive head register by more than 0x100 and the transmit tail register does not exceed the transmit head  
register my more than 0x100. There are two ways to achieve this goal:  
Set up the software driver to never manage more than 256 descriptors per ring.  
Program the driver to actively calculate the difference between descriptor head and tail. This way, the  
software driver can manage many more total descriptors, but it never moves the tail pointer far  
enough to make excessive descriptors active.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
3. Late Collision Statistics May Be Incorrect  
Problem:  
In gigabit half duplex mode, the late collision statistic register may not count late collision events correctly.  
Implication:  
The actual number of late collisions in half duplex mode may be higher than reflected in the statistic register.  
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82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Workaround:  
None.  
Status:  
This erratum was resolved in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
4. Some Registers Cannot Be Accessed During Reset  
Problem:  
PCI accesses to transmit descriptor registers will not succeed if the 82543GC controller is in a transmit reset  
state. Similarly, PCI accesses to receive descriptor registers will not succeed if the 82543GC controller is in a  
receive reset state. Affected registers include the transmit descriptor registers (offsets 0x420 – 0x440), receive  
descriptor registers, diagnostic packet buffer head/tail registers (offsets 0x8000 – 0x8018) and the flow control  
threshold registers (offsets 0x160 – 0x168).  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Accesses to any of these registers during reset states will result in an infinite PCI retry state.  
Software can check that the 82543GC device is not in a reset state before accessing the registers.  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller. However, software  
still should not attempt to write to these registers during reset states because the data written will not be  
retained. Documentation will be updated to specify which registers are held in reset during which conditions.  
See Documentation Change #3.  
5. DAC Accesses May Be Interpreted Incorrectly  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC device is mapped to a 64-bit PCI address space as a target device, it does not always  
handle dual-address cycle (DAC) accesses correctly.  
Implication:  
The 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller is designed to function with addresses above the 4 GByte PCI  
boundary and can advertise this capability in base address register 0. As a bus master, it can fully utilize this  
space and initiates all 64-bit DAC cycles correctly. However, it does not always respond to DAC cycles correctly  
as a target device. In addition, accesses to flash memory may work incorrectly. See Erratum #7, Flash Memory  
Functions Incorrectly in 64-Bit Address Space.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Bit 0x0D in the EEPROM space at byte 0x0A denotes 64-bit address mapping if cleared to “0”. (This is the  
default configuration.) Program the bit to logic “1” to denote 32-bit address space. As an added precaution,  
software drivers can check this bit and render a shutdown with an error message if a “0” is detected.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
6. Flash Memory Interface Functions Incorrectly in 64-Bit Address Space  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC controller is mapped to a 64-bit address space as a target, the flash memory space is also  
mapped to a 64-bit space. However, the flash memory interface hardware is implemented for 32 bit addressing  
and may fail in response to 64-bit addressing.  
Implication:  
This erratum is directly related to Erratum #5 (DAC Accesses May Be Interpreted Incorrectly). Mapping flash  
memory to an address above 4 GBytes may result in PCI master aborts or other incorrect behavior.  
Workaround:  
The workaround is identical to the workaround for Erratum #5, DAC Accesses May Be Interpreted Incorrectly.  
Bit 0x0D in the EEPROM space at byte 0x0A denotes 64-bit address space if cleared to “0”. (This is the default  
configuration.) Program this bit to logic “1” to denote 32-bit address space. As an added precaution, software  
drivers can check this bit and render a shutdown with an error message if a “0” is detected.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
7. Excessive Errors in 100Mb Half-Duplex Mode  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller operates in 100Mb mode and network traffic causes collisions,  
the device will experience excessive CRC, alignment and RX_ERR errors. Intel observed late collision  
situations where the 82543GC device attempted packet transmission while another station was transmitting and  
after the collision window expired. The observed error rates were approximately one error per 300 good  
received packets. Error rates this high cause excessive packet loss, which can lead to protocol timeouts. The  
problem occurs with multiple PHY devices and a variety of Ethernet hub and cabling configurations.  
12  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Data transfer performance is substantially reduced due to error packets.  
None.  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
8. 48 Bit Preambles Sent in 10Mb and 100Mb Operation  
Problem:  
The 82543GC device transmits 48 bit preambles instead of 56 bit preambles for 10Mb and 100Mb operation.  
Implication:  
Certain 10Mb and 100Mb repeaters will only tolerate 56 bit preambles, so packets transmitted by the 82543GC  
controller will be incompatible. A product example is the Intel InBusiness 4 Port Fast Hub, which is based on a  
Broadcom 5205 repeater device.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
None.  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
9. CRS Detection Takes Too Long in MII Half-Duplex Mode  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC controller is operated in half-duplex mode, it can take up to 16 bit times to detect Carrier  
Sense (CRS) assertion.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
The IEEE specification is 8 bit times. Functional problems are not anticipated in operating networks, however.  
None.  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
10. DMA Early Receive Function Does Not Work  
Problem:  
When DMA early receive operation is enabled on the 82543GC device and a DMA receive underrun occurs, the  
controller may erroneously place data into the packet descriptors.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
The early receive function cannot be used.  
None.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
11. ILOS Bit Copied Incorrectly from EEPROM to Speed Bits  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC controller loads configuration information from EEPROM, it maps the Invert Loss of Signal  
(ILOS) bit into the Speed Selection bits in the device control register.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Both the ILOS and Speed settings will be incorrect.  
Software should write correct bit values into the control register.  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
12. Gigabit Half-Duplex Mode Operates Incorrectly  
Problem:  
Several problems prevent proper gigabit half-duplex operation.  
Implication:  
Do not use GMII half-duplex operation. GMII full-duplex and MII (10/100Mb) half-duplex modes are unaffected.  
13  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Workaround:  
None.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
13. Zero-Byte PCI Bus Writes  
Problem:  
The 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller can generate zero-byte writes on a 32-bit PCI bus because it is has a  
64-bit internal architecture. A zero-byte access is defined as a data transfer with IRDY# and TRDY# asserted  
but none of the byte enables asserted.  
Implication:  
Zero-byte writes are allowed by the PCI specification. However, an erratum in the 450GX PC chipset causes  
incompatibility with the 82543GC controller. The erratum is titled, #29 Hang with Zero-Byte Write Followed by a  
Nonzero-Byte Write. The erratum states, “If an inbound PCI zero-byte write is followed by a PCI nonzero-byte  
write, and a specific set of timing circumstances exist, the chipset can become out of sync.”  
Workaround:  
In a 450GX chipset system, change the system’s IOQ depth from eight to one. In most systems, the IOQ depth  
parameter is accessible through the BIOS setup utility.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this problem in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
14. TCP Segmentation Feature Operates Incorrectly  
Problem:  
Several errata prevent proper TCP segmentation operation, in particular, concurrency with other DMA events  
and payload mismatch trapping. At least one of the errata can cause transmit operation to hang.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Do not use the TCP segmentation feature.  
None.  
Some of the errata were corrected in the A1 stepping. At least one severe transmit problem was not corrected.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
15. Incorrect Checksum Calculation and Indication  
Problem:  
Several errata can cause checksum calculations (packet, TCP, UDP, IP, etc.) to be performed incorrectly or to  
be misreported. These problems can occur on both transmitted and received packets and can also relate to  
packet size.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Checksum offloading is not reliable and should not be used.  
None. Checksums should be calculated in software rather than being offloaded to 82543GC hardware.  
Some of the problems were corrected in the A1 stepping, including the problem of incorrect UDP checksum  
indication. The remaining problems were corrected in the A2 stepping, with the exception of receive IP  
checksum. See erratum #23, “Receive IP Checksum Offload Disabled.”  
16. Transmitter Affected by Discarding Packets  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC device is forced to discard a transmit packet because of non-transmission, internal pointers  
may get corrupted and lead to bad packet transmission or a hang condition. The situations that can trigger this  
behavior are:  
(a.) Half-duplex operation and the number of collisions exceeds the programmed threshold.  
(b.) Half–duplex operation and a late collision occurs with re-transmit disabled for late collisions.  
(c.) Transmit underrun with re-transmit disabled for underruns.  
Implication:  
Precautions must be taken so that the 82543GC device does not discard packets it cannot transmit.  
14  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Workaround:  
Status:  
When using half-duplex mode, program the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller for a very high collision  
threshold and allow it to retransmit packets that encounter a late collision. Also, if the “early transmit” feature is  
used, configure the device to retransmit packets that encounter underruns.  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
17. Flash Memory Address Conflicts  
Problem:  
Accesses to certain flash memory addresses will not succeed because of address conflicts with registers in the  
82543GC device. Example addresses include offsets 2000h or 3000h. This erratum is closely related to erratum  
#18, Packet Buffer Memory Address Conflicts.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
The flash memory interface cannot be used.  
None.  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
18. Packet Buffer Memory Address Conflicts  
Problem:  
Accesses to certain packet buffer memory addresses will not succeed because of address conflicts with  
registers in the 82543GC device. Example addresses include offsets 12000h or 13000h. This erratum is closely  
related to erratum #17, Flash Memory Address Conflicts.  
Implication:  
Software cannot directly access packet buffer memory. Such accesses are typically performed only for  
diagnostic purposes.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
None.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
19. Transmit Packet Corruption of Small Packets  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC Ethernet Controller is transmitting and receiving simultaneously, it is possible that short  
packets will be corrupted before transmission. In systems with a 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI bus, packets up to 148  
bytes can be affected. In systems with a 32-bit and/or 33 MHz bus, packets up to 64 bytes can be affected. In  
both cases, the corrupted data will appear in the last 16 bytes of data. The data corruption occurs before CRC  
calculation.  
Implication:  
Since the CRC is calculated after the problem occurs, corrupted short packets can be transmitted on the wire  
without indication of corruption (except for any protocol checksum embedded in the packet).  
Workaround:  
For systems with a 64-bit, 66 MHz PCI bus, software should pad all packets equal to 148 or less bytes with an  
additional 16 bytes of pad data. The value of the data does not matter, since the data may be “sacrificed” to the  
corruption problem and the protocol stack at the receiving end station will ignore it anyway. For systems with a  
32-bit and/or 33 MHz bus, software should pad the packets up to the Ethernet minimum of 64 bytes (including  
CRC).  
Status:  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
20. Receive Packet Buffer Corruption When Nearly Full  
Problem:  
When the size of a received packet comes within a 64-bit word of filling up all the space in the packet buffer  
memory, internal header information may not get updated properly for the packet. Subsequent DMA cycles may  
transfer corrupted data from the packet buffer into the host system memory. The corrupted packets may be of  
random length, frequently exceeding the maximum Ethernet size.  
15  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
When the size of a received packet exceeds the space in the packet buffer memory, the 82543GC Gigabit  
Ethernet Controller will drop the packet. This behavior is normal and is not affected by the erratum.  
Implication:  
Software cannot directly access packet buffer memory. Such accesses are typically performed only for  
diagnostic purposes.  
Workaround:  
It may not be possible to prevent the problem, requiring software to screen for packets that exceed maximum  
Ethernet frame size. When such a packet is found, software should reset the device.  
In addition, a combination of techniques may be required to effectively reduce occurrences:  
(a.) Place the device on a high-bandwidth PCI bus (64 bits @ 66 MHz) if possible. Use a dedicated slot if  
one is available.  
(b.) Increase allocation of buffers and receive descriptors to start.  
(c.) Enable flow control.  
Status:  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
21. Receive Packet Loss in 100Mb Half-Duplex Operation  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC Ethernet Controller is operating in half-duplex mode at 100Mb, a good packet may get  
dropped following a collision with reception of a very short collision fragment. In this situation, a portion of the  
preamble from the collision fragment gets appended to the incoming good packet. The good packet will then be  
dropped because it has an invalid CRC. It will also be likely not to pass through an address filter.  
This erratum is affected by the link partner’s behavior after collisions. The problem may not be seen with some  
link partners, particular those that are not in strict IEEE compliance with respect to collisions.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
The 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller cannot be used in half-duplex 100Mb operation.  
None.  
Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
22. TNCRS Statistic Register Has Live Count in Full-Duplex Mode  
Problem:  
The Transmit with No Carrier Sense Statistic (TNCRS) has no meaning in full-duplex operation. However, it has  
been observed to contain an incrementing value.  
Implication:  
The TNCRS counter is defined to indicate the number of half-duplex frame transmissions in which the Carrier  
Sense input (I_CRS) was not asserted by a PHY. This operation is unaffected by the erratum.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Software should ignore the TNCRS statistic in full-duplex mode.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
23. Receive IP Checksum Offload Disabled  
Problem:  
When Intel resolved Erratum #15, “Incorrect Checksum Calculation and Indication,” it was not possible to  
resolve a problem affecting receive IP checksums. To ensure against user problems, the receive IP checksum  
offload function was completely disabled.  
Implication:  
The 82543GC controller will ignore the IP Checksum Offload Enable Bit (RXCSUM.IPOFL). IP Checksum Error  
Bits in the receive descriptors (RDESC.ERRORS Bit 6) will always read “0”. This erratum does not affect any  
other checksum calculation.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
None. Receive IP checksums should be calculated in software.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
24. EEPROM Initializes Software Defined Pins Incorrectly  
16  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Problem:  
Bits SWDPIO_EXT[7:4] of Initialization Control Word 2 in the EEPROM are supposed to map to bits  
SWDPIOHI[11:8] in the Extended Device Control Register at offset 0x00018. Instead, the bits map to  
SWDPINSHI[7:4] of that register.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
The input/output characteristic of some of the software-defined pins could be assigned incorrectly.  
Program these bits in the Extended Device Control Register correctly in software.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
25. Continuous XOFFs Transmitted When Receive Buffer Is Full  
Problem:  
When the receive FIFO is full (or within a quad word of full), the 82543GC controller will send XOFFs  
continuously. The receive buffer will fill up if there are insufficient receive descriptors or insufficient memory  
buffers. This condition can occur under heavy network traffic loads.  
Implication:  
When the controller is sending continuous XOFFs, it cannot transmit any data packets in the transmit FIFO.  
Workaround:  
Set up a watchdog timer in the software driver to monitor that packets given to the 82543GC device are actually  
transmitted. If packet transmission is not acknowledged after 2-3 seconds, the host system should be notified to  
reset the Ethernet controller. At this time, the driver should return memory resources to the operating system for  
reallocation.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
26. Default Speed Selection May Depend on EEPROM Presence  
Problem:  
When the controller is configured for GMII operation and auto-speed detection is disabled, the default speed  
setting (CTRL.SPEED) will depend on whether a valid EEPROM is present, as determined by the signature bits.  
If a legitimate EEPROM is determined not to be present, the controller will use 10b as the speed selection bits  
in the Device Control Register, resulting in a speed of 1000 Mb/s. If an EEPROM is determined to be present,  
the controller will use 00b as the speed selection bits, resulting in a speed of 10 Mb/s.  
Implication:  
This erratum could cause the 82543GC controller to initially be configured at the wrong speed if it is being used  
in an application for twisted pair copper wiring. Note that the 82543GC device has another erratum related to  
EEPROM detection (Erratum #29, “Initialization Ignores Wrong EEPROM Signature”). Employing the  
workaround to Erratum #29 requires an EEPROM to be present in all 82543GC designs. Thus, the default  
speed setting is most likely to be seen as 10 Mb/s.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
Software should program the CTRL.SPEED bits to the desired speed and not expect the controller to default to  
gigabit.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
27. Link Status Change Interrupt Only Occurs If Link is Up  
Problem:  
If link is lost, the controller may not always generate a link status change interrupt. This erratum only applies to  
the TBI (fiber) mode of operation.  
Implication:  
The system may fail to notice loss of link if it relies solely on receiving an interrupt as notification.  
Workaround:  
The Interrupt Cause Status Register will correctly indicate a link status change event even if the interrupt does  
not occur. The software driver can query this register. The software driver can also look for sequence errors as  
an indication that link has been lost.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
28. Early Transmit Feature Does Not Operate Correctly  
17  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Problem:  
Use of the early transmit function may cause hangs in 10/100 Mb/s operation.  
Implication:  
The early transmit feature is only applicable to 10/100 Mbps operation, where it was expected to improve  
overall data transfer rates. With the feature enabled, the 82543GC controller may lock up or exhibit other  
problems; insignificant performance gains were observed.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
None. Do not use the early transmit function.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
Documentation will change to remove text referring to this feature and its associated registers.  
29. TDO Output Not Floated When JTAG TAP Controller Inactive  
Problem:  
When the TAP controller is inactive, the TDO output remains driven. This behavior does not meet the IEEE  
1149.1 (JTAG) specification.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
The TDO output should float when the TAP controller is not being scanned. The specification requires the ability  
to float the TDO output in order to allow multiple scan chains to be connected in parallel.  
Do not connect the 82543GC device’s TAP controller in parallel with other JTAG chains. Note that the 82543GC  
device does not support the JTAG scan or bypass instructions. These limitations prevent series connections of  
the TAP controller as well.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
30. Initialization Ignores Incorrect EEPROM Signature  
Problem:  
When the 82543GC controller powers up, it reads initialization values from EEPROM space. If Initialization  
Control Word 1 bits 15:14 (the signature bits) equal 01b, the controller senses that an EEPROM is present and  
continues processing the initialization values. If the controller detects any other value, it Is supposed to abort  
processing initialization data and use its defaults instead. With this erratum, the controller continues processing  
the EEPROM initialization values even if the signature bits are incorrect.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
This operation could lead to improper initialization from a corrupt EEPROM or from a non-existant EEPROM.  
Note that Erratum #26 also  
Ensure that an EEPROM is always present and that the signature bits are correct. EEPROMs should also  
always be present to work around Erratum #5, “DAC Accesses May Be Interpreted Incorrectly”.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
31. Internal Loopback Difficulties  
Problem:  
Link must be present for internal loopback, and loopback operation varies among MII, GMII and TBI modes.  
Loopback cannot be entered directly from 10 Mb/s operation because the loopback data is sampled by 100  
Mb/s clocks.  
Implication:  
Internal loopback testing may be impractical when a real link partner is not present or when a cable is not  
present. Extra software coding may be required to develop satisfactory test routines.  
Workaround:  
The internal loopback path is the same for all modes, but the link requirements differ. In all cases the controller  
must sense that link is up prior to entering loopback. To enter loopback from 100 Mb/s operation when an active  
link partner is not present, toggle the ILOS (Invert Loss of Signal) bit in the Device Control Register to “trick” the  
controller into sensing link is up. For GMII mode (1000 Mb/s), force link if a working gigabit link partner is not  
present. For TBI mode, if a link partner is not present, it is also possible to toggle the ILOS bit to simulate link  
acquisition. In some cases it may be more practical to use external (PHY or transceiver) loopback instead of  
internal loopback.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
32. Collision Pin Not Ignored in TBI Mode  
18  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Problem:  
Asserting the collision input signal (COL) can cause the transmitter to hang intermittently in TBI mode.  
Implication:  
When the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller is in TBI mode, the collision signal is meaningless because  
receive and transmit channels each have their own dedicated optical fibers. Nevertheless, the pin must be tied  
off carefully.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
For TBI mode operation, use a pulldown resistor on the COL input hold it in the deasserted state.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
33. Receive Descriptor Writeback Problems for Packets Spanning Multiple Buffers  
Problem:  
Receive descriptors are typically written back to memory either upon receive interrupts or opportunistically in  
between writing data buffers. When a received Ethernet packet exceeds the size of a single receive buffer,  
corrupted receive descriptor writebacks may occur and the controller may hang. The conditions for this erratum  
are specific:  
The controller is programmed to write back receive descriptors upon a receive interrupt, the interrupt has  
not yet been triggered, and  
The controller has a programmed descriptor writeback threshold (RXDCTL.WTHRESH), the number of  
receive descriptors consumed thus far by the packet is equal to or greater than the threshold.  
Implication:  
Corrupted descriptor writebacks may include writing back unconsumed descriptors, descriptor writebacks to  
incorrect addresses, or writebacks missed altogether. In addition, the device may cease to access the PCI bus  
or cease packet reception. If the device hangs, a full software or hardware reset is needed.  
Workaround:  
If the system uses buffers smaller than the maximum allowed packet size, take the following precautions:  
Configure the receive interrupt to occur immediately on end-of-packet by programming RDTR = 0.  
Configure the descriptor writeback threshold WTHRESH to a value that will not result in a writeback in the  
middle of a packet. Packets may be 1514 bytes or up to 16K bytes if long packets are enabled. It is  
recommended that the RXDCTL.GRAN bit be set to 1 descriptor and WTHRESH set to the maximum  
number of descriptor buffers the maximum size packet will consume.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
34. Illegal Oversize Packets Overflow Receive FIFO  
Problem:  
The controller should drop invalid Ethernet packets, but frames exceeding the maximum legal size can overflow  
the receive FIFO, causing a lock up. This problem has only been reported in a test environment with an IXIA  
packet generator.  
Implication:  
Workaround:  
Status:  
The 82543GC controller can receive frames up to the size of the receive packet buffer without difficulty. If the  
82543GC controller locks up due to an oversize packet, a full software or hardware reset is needed.  
Driver software should ensure that a minimum of 16K is allocated to the receive FIFO. Packets larger than this  
size should not be present on the LAN.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
35. Transmit Descriptor Writeback Problems with Non-Zero WTHRESH  
Problem:  
Transmit descriptors are typically written back to memory either upon transmit interrupts or opportunistically in  
between reading data buffers. When the controller has a programmed writeback threshold  
(TXDCTL.WTHRESH), it will attempt to write back full descriptors instead of just a status byte. The controller  
may incorrectly calculate the length of the writeback operation, causing corrupted descriptor writebacks. This  
erratum is closely related to Erratum #33. “Receive Buffer Writeback Problems for Packets Spanning Multiple  
Buffers.”  
19  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
Implication:  
Corrupted descriptor writebacks may include writing back unconsumed descriptors, descriptor writebacks to  
incorrect addresses, or writebacks missed altogether. In addition, the device may cease to access the PCI bus  
or cease packet transmission. If the device hangs, a full software or hardware reset is needed.  
Workaround:  
Leave WTHRESH at its default value of 0. Descriptors will be written back immediately.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
36. Bus Initialization with Some Chipsets  
Problem:  
Upon initialization, the 82543GC controller samples the REQ64# signal on the rising (inactive) edge of RST#. If  
REQ64# is sampled low (asserted), the controller starts up with a 64-bit bus width.  
The PCI Local Bus Specification calls for 0 ns. minimum input hold time on this signal. However, the 82543GC  
controller requires 1 ns. input hold time.  
Implication:  
If the signal does not have sufficient hold time, the 82543GC controller could power up with incorrect bus width  
(64 versus 32 bits).  
Many bridges and chipsets drive the REQ64# signal with a full clock of hold time past the rising edge of RST#  
and this problem will not be encountered. Other loads on the PCI bus may affect the severity of the problem.  
Workaround:  
Status:  
For embedded designs, verify that the system bridge will deliver a full clock of hold time. If the problem is  
encountered on an add-in board, try moving the board to a connector on another bus segment.  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82545EM/82546EB Gigabit Ethernet  
Controllers.  
37. Use of Receive Delay Timer Ring Register (RDTR) Causes Occasional Lockups  
Problem:  
The 82543GC Controller Receive Delay Timer Ring Register (RDTR) is used to delay interrupt notification until  
a number of microseconds elapse past the last receive packet in a sequence of packets. Under high traffic  
conditions, this function can occasionally lead to lockups of both receive and transmit. The lockups are due to a  
request queue problem in the DMA control logic.  
Implication:  
If lockup occurs, either a hardware or software reset will be required. Ethernet performance under some OSes  
(e.g., Linux) will be reduced if the feature is disabled.  
Workaround:  
Do not use the receive delay timer ring. Leave RDTR at its 0x00000000 default. Other techniques can be used  
to moderate receive interrupts: not using descriptor writebacks, or querying the receive descriptor head pointer  
(approximate indication of descriptors used).  
Intel’s Linux driver continues to use RDTR, but documentation warns to turn it off if problems are seen. Other  
Intel drivers did not previously use the feature.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
38. Transmit TCP Checksum Incorrectly Modified if Calculated as 0x0000  
Problem:  
If the controller calculates a transmit TCP checksum as 0x0000, it will automatically change the checksum to  
0xFFFF.  
Specifications call for 0xFFFF be substituted for 0x0000 for UDP packets to distinguish UDP packets that carry  
no checksum. However, the modification does not apply to TCP packets.  
Implication:  
If the receiving station is running MS-DOS and calculates a receive checksum of 0x0000, it will flag an error if  
the checksum contained in the packet is 0xFFFF. Other operating systems treat 0x0000 and 0xFFFF as  
equivalent in one’s complement math. UDP checksums are correct.  
Workaround:  
Intel modified the DOS Ethernet driver to check for a received checksum of 0xFFFF on a TCP/IP packet and  
change it back to 0x0000 before passing the packet to the operating system.  
Status:  
Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.  
20  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
SPECIFICATION CLARIFICATIONS  
1. 0-70C Ambient Temperature Range  
Problem:  
The data sheet contains conflicting information on the controller’s rated temperature range. The recommended  
temperature range is given as 0-55C both in a specification table and Section 5.3, Thermal Specifications.  
Elsewhere, the data sheet indicates a recommended maximum junction temperature of 100C and mentions 0-  
70C as a test footnote.  
Intel validated the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller for the full commercial ambient temperature range of 0-  
70C. The overriding specification is the 100C maximum junction temperature. Multiplying the typical 1.5W  
power by the 17C/W thermal coefficient, then adding the product to 70, yields approximately 96C, which falls  
under the 100C limit.  
Affected Specs: Recommended Operating Conditions and the Thermal Specifications section of OR-2711 82543GC Gigabit  
Ethernet Controller Advance Information Datasheet Rev. 2.01. Documentation will change to uniformly indicate  
0-70C.  
2. Receiver Enabling and Disabling  
Problem:  
The 82543GC controller does not support “throttled” reception by repeatedly disabling/enabling the receiver by  
programming the Enable (EN) Bit in the Receive Control Register (RCTL). The reason is that the  
disabling/enabling operation does not re-initialize packet filter logic that demarcates packet start and end  
locations in the FIFO.  
A note will be added to the RCTL register description reminding users to reset at least the receiver before re-  
enabling it.  
Affected Specs: RCTL register description in OR-2710 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual Rev. 2.01.  
DOCUMENTATION CHANGES  
1. TX/RX Descriptor Register Addresses  
Problem:  
The 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller cannot use address offsets assigned for the previous generation  
82542 Gigabit Ethernet Controller. Affected registers include the transmit descriptor registers (incorrect offset  
range 0x420 – 0x440), receive descriptor registers, diagnostic packet buffer head/tail registers (incorrect offset  
range 0x8000 – 0x8018) and the flow control threshold registers (incorrect offset range 0x160 – 0x168).  
Offsets for these registers will change in documentation to reflect the correct 82543GC device values. Refer to  
the following table for specific changes.  
Register Name  
Incorrect Offsets  
(Based on 82542  
Controller)  
Corrected Offsets  
(Based on 82543GC  
Controller)  
RX_DELAY_TIMER  
00108  
02820  
02800  
02808  
02810  
02818  
03800  
RX_DESC_BASE_ADDR  
RX_RING_LENGTH  
RX_DESC_HEAD  
00110  
00118  
00120  
00128  
00420  
RX_DESC_TAIL  
TX_DESC_BASE_ADDR  
21  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
TX_RING_LENGTH  
TX_DESC_HEAD  
00428  
00430  
00438  
00440  
08000  
08008  
08010  
08018  
00160  
00168  
03808  
03810  
03818  
03820  
02410  
02418  
03410  
03418  
02168  
02160  
TX_DESC_TAIL  
TX_INTERRUPT_DELAY  
RX_PB_HEAD  
RX_PB_TAIL  
TX_PB_HEAD  
TX_PB_TAIL  
FLOW_CONTROL RX THRESH HI  
FLOW_CONTROL RX THRESH LO  
Affected Docs:  
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual, Order #751596-001. Note: this is an obsolete  
document. It has been replaced by the combined data sheet/developer’s manual documents indicated in the  
preface of this spec update.  
2. Auto Speed Detect Function Requires CTRL.SLU Bit to Be Set  
Problem:  
Setting the Set Link Up (SLU) bit is a prerequisite for the Auto Speed Detect Enable (ASDE) bit in the Device  
Control Register to operate correctly. Asserting CTRL.SLU does not actually force link-up unless the link  
indication input indicates that the 82543GC device is connected to a PHY device with valid link.  
Documentation will change to explain the complete behavior.  
Affected Docs:  
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual, Order #751596-001. Note: this is an obsolete  
document. It has been replaced by the combined data sheet/developer’s manual documents indicated in the  
preface of this spec update.  
3. Values Programmed to Some Registers While in Reset Do Not Persist  
Problem:  
This behavior is related to erratum #4, Some Registers Cannot Be Accessed During Reset. The erratum was  
corrected, preventing infinite PCI retries, but values in certain registers will not be retained after the reset state  
ends. Documentation will change to explain which registers are affected.  
Affected Docs:  
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual, Order #751596-001. Note: this is an obsolete  
document. It has been replaced by the combined data sheet/developer’s manual documents indicated in the  
preface of this spec update.  
4. JTAG Port Operation  
Problem:  
The JTAG interface as described in the Developer’s Manual is not compliant to the IEEE 1149.1 specification  
and only supports the IDCODE instruction. However, the pin description tables in the datasheet (also the text in  
the Developer’s Manual) does not describe the capabilities of this interface and some readers may think that full  
boundary scan is supported.  
The pin description tables and text will change so the function is described as the “Test Access Port (IDCODE  
function)” instead of “JTAG”.  
Affected Docs:  
OR-2711 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Advance Information Datasheet Rev. 2.01 and OR-2710  
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual Rev. 2.01.  
22  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
5. Register Summary Uses Improper Page Reference Format  
Problem:  
The 82543GC Register Summary refers to page numbers in the format (11-182, 11-186, 11-188, …) and (10-  
162, 10-166, 10-166, …).  
The pagination will change to the format (182, 186, 188, …) and (162, 166, 186, …). The actual page numbers  
are correct.  
Affected Docs:  
OR-2710 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual Rev. 2.01.  
6. Change O_EN_CDET Output to NO_CONNECT  
Problem:  
The output labeled O_EN_CDET should be relabeled to NO_CONNECT. The Enable Comma Detect function is  
not present on the 825543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller. This change affects the Pin Description Tables and  
Signal Name to Electrical Connection Lists.  
Comma detection triggers a SERDES device (present in 1000BASE-SX designs) to re-acquire byte  
synchronization, and is used primarily during Auto-negotiation. Comma detection can be asserted on the  
SERDES by permanently connecting the SERDES input to Vcc through an approximately 1K pullup resistor.  
The SERDES will perform the realignment every time it detects a comma character.  
Affected Docs:  
OR-2711 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Advance Information Datasheet Rev. 2.01.  
7. Change Recommended Transmit IPG Programming Value for 10/100/1000BASE-T  
Problem:  
The IEEE standard minimum transmit inter-packet gap is 96 bit times. To achieve that gap requires a  
programmed setting to the IPGT Field in the Transmit Inter packet Gap (TIPG) Register. The actual inter-packet  
gap in MAC data clocks) is the sum of the programmed value and a variable logic synchronization time within  
the device. Use a recommended programming value of 10 for TBI applications and 10 for 10/100/1000BASE-T  
applications to assure that the minimum IPG gap will be met under all synchronization conditions.  
The Developer’s Manual currently indicates a programming value of 6 for both fiber and copper  
implementations. This value will change to 10. In addition to the register listing, section 12.5 Transmit  
Initialization text should change.  
Affected Docs:  
OR-2710 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual Rev. 2.01.  
8. Remove Transmit Report Status Sent Function  
Problem:  
The Transmit Report Status Sent function is not implemented to write back descriptor status when packet data  
goes out on the wire. The Report Packet Sent (RPS) Bit in the transmit descriptor (Bit 4 in TDESC.CMD) is  
Reserved and should be programmed to 0. The related Report Status function (Bit 3 in TDESC.CMD) may be  
used to force transmit descriptor status bytes to be written back to memory as the packet data reaches the  
transmit queue.  
Affected text includes 4.3.2 Transmit Descriptor Writeback and references in numerous other sections, including  
the interrupt description text.  
Affected Docs:  
OR-2710 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual Rev. 2.01.  
9. Remove Transmit DMA Pre-fetching and Preemption Functions  
Problem:  
The controller does not implement the ability to start transmit descriptor data fetches before finishing the  
previous descriptor. In addition, it does not have the ability to disable DMA preemptions during TCP  
23  
 
82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update  
segmentation. The Transfer DMA Control Register (TXDMAC) will be removed from the developer’s manual  
and text in 12.6 Reset should change.  
Note: Erratum #14 prohibits using TCP segmentation regardless of the preemption function.  
OR-2710 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual Rev. 2.01.  
Affected Docs:  
10. Remove Gigabit Half-Duplex Transmit Burst Timer Control Function (TBT)  
Problem:  
The controller does not have the capability to control transmit burst length for Gigabit half-duplex operation  
through register programming. The Transmit Burst Timer Register (TBT) will be removed from the developer’s  
manual.  
Note: Erratum #12 prohibits Gigabit half-duplex mode operation.  
Affected Docs:  
OR-2710 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual Rev. 2.01.  
11. Remove Adaptive IFS Throttle Function (AIT)  
Problem:  
The controller does not have the ability to increase inter-packet gap (beyond TIPG control) during back-to-back  
transmit operation and Gigabit half-duplex operation. The Adaptive IFS Throttle Register (AIT) will be removed  
from the developer’s manual. Affected sections of the developer’s manual include 9.2.2.2 Packet Bursting, 9.4.1  
Adaptive IFS and 9.4.2 Burst Mode IFS.  
Note: Erratum #12 prohibits Gigabit half-duplex mode operation.  
Affected Docs:  
OR-2710 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Developer’s Manual Rev. 2.01.  
24  
 

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